Testing-station for underground telegraph and telephone wires



(omen R. B. LA MB.

Testing Station for Underground Telegraph and Telephone Wires. NO. 241,029. Patented May 3,1881.

g- 4 Q l l I l 2 flareflit/i". 11.6. 1 ,5 1? r a ,1; I 2% Q 8 a a M RE i 6 5 I g I Q )321. 10. Q jfiZlx 1/. i

4 .5 five.

a v t. @flmsszs grammar.

flaw/U I m;

K I U ATTOFQIEY.

N, PETERS, Photo Lilhogrzpher. Washington, D. C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RESTORE B. LAMB, OF CAMDEN, NENV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONAL UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF NEW JERSEY.

TESTING-STATION FOR UNDERGROUND TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE WIRES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,029, dated May 3, 1881.

Application filed February 18, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REs'roEE B. LAMB, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Camden, State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Testing-StationsforUnderground Telegraph and Telephone Wires, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specitication and accompanying drawings,iu which Figure 1 is a vertical section of the testing station embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top or plan View, showing the position of the same at the intersection of streets.-

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the two figures.

My invention consists of a testing-station for purposes of underground telegraph, tele phone, and other wires, formed of a water-proof chamber, with the ends of the conductors for the wires opening into said chamber, the inlet of the chamber having a top cover and a water-tight inner cover, which are, however, made removable to permit entrance into the chamher. A reel is placed within the chamber, for the operation of drawing the wires through the conductors, either for laying and connecting the wires, inspecting, testing, or repairing the same. The conductors radiate or pass from the station and distribute the wires properly to the cellars of houses or other localities where communication with the wires is required.

In the drawings, A represents a chamber formed by excavating the street-say at an intersection of streets-and walling the excavation by brick-work or masonry B, the wall being arched, and having an opening or inlet, a, for entrance into the chamber.

0 represents a metallic cap placed on the top of the chamber and resting on the brick-work or masonry, and it consists of a ring, a, communicating with the inlet a, a cover, I), which rests on a shoulder at the top of the ring, and an inner cover, 0, which rests on a shoulder, (I, at the lower portion of the ring. The upper cover is flush with the street, and the inner cover is made water-tight by means of rubber packing, cement, or other sealing material.

In the wall B are openings for the reception of the ends of the conductors D of the wires, said conductors being formed of terra-cotta, lead, &c., as well known, and within the chamher is placed a reel or drum, E, with cords or wires, whereby the electric wires, or the respect ive ends thereof, may be drawn into the chamber for purposes of laying and connecting the wires or inspecting, testing, or repairing the same. The brickwork or masonry ot' the wall B is well laid with mortar or cement, and the inner face of the wall is thoroughly covered with such material, whereby the chamber is water-proof.

In order to prevent crushing of the ends of the conductors which lead into the chamber, metallic rings or sheaths c are introduced between the eonductors and brick-work or ma- 6 5 sonry, and tightly encircle the conductors with water-proof packing or lining.

When access to the chamber A is required the outer and inner covers of the cap 0 are removed and entrance is effected through the inlet a. NVhen the work is accomplished the inner cover, 0, is reapplied and sealed and the top cover, I), located, and the chamber and contents are again secure and made water-proof.

The conductors D lead from the station underground to cellars or other localities where the wires are required, and as each station is located at the intersections of streets, it is serviceable for several blocks or squares of houses, or division ofthe route, whereby the latter may be easily inspected and tested, as desired.

Having thusdeseribed my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The water-proof chamber A, having a top opening, a, in combination with a cap, 0, for said opening and wire-conductors leading into said chamber, said cap consisting of a shouldered side wall and upper and lower covers, I)

c, substantially as set forth.

RESTORE 1-3. LAMB.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERsHEIM, A. P. GRANT. 

